Brian C. Vertz

Working third shift at the William Penn Hotel by night and cramming in the rigorous curriculum of a JD/MBA education by day, Brian C. Vertz never dreamed that he would become a divorce lawyer. Corporate law seemed like the logical destiny for someone with an aptitude for economics and financial analysis. Yet, his first year on the job proved that equitable distribution wasn't far from mergers and acquisitions. Complex financial issues have become the watchword of Brian's legal career.

Writing briefs for the Superior Court and Supreme Court appeals was one of Brian's first legal tasks. He soon proved himself to be as effective in the courtroom as he was in written advocacy. The financial concentration he brought to family law raised the bar for effective legal representation. But the real reason why Brian has stayed in family law for nearly two decades is his compassion for the clients and children who are affected by divorce and the profound change it can bring to their lives – change that he helps them to embrace with financial stability and renewed control over their lives and futures.

After practicing with several firms including Reed Smith Shaw & McClay LLP, David S. Pollock & Associates and McCarthy McDonald Schulberg & Joy, Brian joined Pollock Begg shortly after its inception in 2001 and became partner in 2012.

Brian is a prolific writer whose articles appear in legal publications for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. Brian is a broadcast presenter and author for the annual Family Law Update, one of the most-watched family law programs statewide. He has written legal education materials on business valuation, tax, child support, executive compensation, equitable distribution, and marital settlement agreements. He is also the author of Family Law Source, an insightful blog that provides expert analysis on a family law issues for both legal professionals and members of the public.

To balance a sedentary work life, Brian remains physically active and participates in a wide range of outdoors and fitness activities, including golf, mountain hiking, and going to the gym. He loves travel and makes an annual pilgrimage to the California wine country.

A former resident of Downtown Pittsburgh, Brian now resides in a small suburb of the city.

Education

Brian was educated at the University of Michigan (B.A., 1988), the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (J.D., 1992), and the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business (MBA, 1991).

Brian is admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania, the state courts of Georgia, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

“Family law was serendipity for me at first, but I quickly learned that my aptitude for numbers was a big asset in this field. Every day we're dealing with calculating our clients' incomes for support hearings, dealing with the value of business interests they may own, and tracing transactions involving their investments and assets. Having the MBA has been a great asset.”

Brian's accomplishments are well noted in the legal community. A fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), he was elected board secretary of the Pennsylvania chapter in 2014 and will ascend to the position of chapter president by 2018. Brian is rated AV Preeminent by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubble Peer Review Ratings and is ranked as one of the region’s top matrimonial lawyers under age 45 by Ten Leaders. He has been listed in every edition of The Best Lawyers in America since 2010 and has ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 50 Attorneys in Pittsburgh for a decade.

A lawyer with an MBA and well adept at financial analysis in divorce proceedings, Brian is also a certified Valuation Analyst and is a member of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. Brian was recently appointed National Chair of the AAML Amicus Committee. Brian is also one of only two certified arbitrators in family law in Western Pennsylvania.

Brian is member of the Family Law Sections of the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar associations and has served as a council member and committee chair within the organizations. Brian has also served in leadership positions with Toastmasters International, and in 2012 founded ACBA Toastmasters, the only chapter devoted to improving the public speaking skills of lawyers.

Brian frequently lectures on family law matters for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and is author of Family Law Source, an insightful blog that provides expert analysis on a family law issues for both legal professionals and members of the public.

“Family law was serendipity for me at first, but I quickly learned that my aptitude for numbers was a big asset in this field. Every day we're dealing with calculating our clients' incomes for support hearings, dealing with the value of business interests they may own, and tracing transactions involving their investments and assets. Having the MBA has been a great asset.”

News

November 3, 2014 — For the sixth year in a row family law firm Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC is a 2015 Tier One “Best Law Firms” recipient in the area of family law, according to rankings released by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers. The distinction designates a combination of excellence and breadth of expertise. Pollock Begg has been included on this list every year since U.S. News commenced rankings in 2010. View Full Release

August 20, 2014 — All five partners of family law firm Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC were selected for inclusion in 2015 edition of Best Lawyers in America, the oldest peer-review publication in the legal profession. David S. Pollock, Todd M. Begg, Candice L. Komar, Daniel H. Glasser and Brian C. Vertz were recognized among the list of practitioners of legal excellence in the United States in the area of family law. This is the sixth year in a row all five partners have been included in the publication. View Full Release

August 19, 2014 — Divorce attorney Brian C. Vertz, partner of family law firm Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC, is the new secretary of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Vertz was elected at the July meeting and will serve as secretary for a one-year term. Per the organization’s bylaws he will ascend to the position of chapter president over the next four years. View Full Release

June 10, 2014 — For the ninth year in a row, all five partners of family law firm Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC have been named to the list of 2014 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. Partners David S. Pollock, Todd M. Begg, and Brian C. Vertz, celebrating a decade or more in the listings, along with Candice L. Komar and Daniel H. Glasser were named to this year’s list. This honor is bestowed on just 5 percent of the state’s attorneys. Pollock and Komar were also named among the 2014 Top 50 Pittsburgh Super Lawyers. Komar earned distinction as one of the Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for the sixth year in a row. View Full Release

“I have the ability to feel compassion toward people who are going through really tough times, but at the same time I'm able to maintain an objective attitude toward the litigation that allows me to develop an effective strategy. I enjoy going to work every morning and having the feeling that I may be helping clients overcome those challenges and obstacles they face.”

Brian’s commitment to public service is unwavering; he volunteers for Neighborhood Legal Services and donates to the Fellows Program of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation. Brian is a strong supporter of the arts and various nonprofit and neighborhood organizations in his community. Brian is often tapped as a guest bartender at the HYP Club. He is also a member of the board of trustees for the Crafton Public Library and a founder of the ACBA Toastmasters, the only chapter devoted to improving the public speaking skills of lawyers.

A firm advocate for pro bono services, Brian donates time as NLSA pro bono PFA attorney and volunteer pro se motions attorney through the Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County.

“I have the ability to feel compassion toward people who are going through really tough times, but at the same time I'm able to maintain an objective attitude toward the litigation that allows me to develop an effective strategy. I enjoy going to work every morning and having the feeling that I may be helping clients overcome those challenges and obstacles they face.”

My clients might be surprised when they receive a call from me after hours or on weekends, but I'm not bound to my desk chair all the time. In addition to a commitment to staying physically active, I have a wide range of interests that keep me on the go. In the summer, I enjoy kayaking on the Allegheny River, biking the trails around the Three Rivers, and taking hiking trips. In between those events, I’m often doing strength training to stay in shape and avoid injuries.

In the past few years, I’ve devoted some of my leisure time to learning golf. Every golfer will tell you that improvement comes in fits and starts, but I love it - and it gives me time to enjoy the outdoors with friends, family, colleagues and clients. I also love to travel and enjoy the world’s treasures and festivals, like Oktoberfest in Munich, the grape harvest in Tuscany, and Christmas in England. I am an active uncle to my niece and nephew. My brother and his wife had their second child in the summer of 2011, so I take every opportunity to visit with them in San Diego and when the whole family gets together in Michigan.

“I'm a great believer in preparation. When you go to court you're establishing a record on which all the decisions in your case will be made, so it's important to establish a really good record.”